Asvel inks big man Armstrong

Proposed wild card recipient Asvel Basket Lyon Villeurbanne moved to beef up its frontcourt for the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Qualifying Rounds by signing experienced big man Hilton Armstrong for next season. Armstrong (2.11 meters, 26 years old) will make his European debut next season after having spent his entire four-year professional career in the NBA, where he appeared in a total of 277 games averaging 3.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 12 minutes. Armstrong spent his first three seasons with New Orleans, starting half-time in the third of those. He was traded between New Orleans, Sacramento and Houston the following year, and between Washington and Atlanta last season. He registered a career-high of 4.8 points and shot 56.1% on two point shots in 2008-09 with New Orleans. Previously, Armstrong played at University of Connecticut, where he won an NCAA title in 2004.